IPL 2022: Match 25- Predicted Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be facing an upbeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 25 of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on April 15. KKR will be heading into this contest on the back of a huge 44-run loss to the Delhi Capitals in their previous encounter. SRH on the other hand are on a roll enjoying a two-match winning run against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans respectively.

The defeat against DC has taken KKR down to the second position and they would be looking to grab the pole position with a clinical performance against the Orange Army. While the two-time winners will not be looking to make too much of chopping and changes to their playing XI, they would definitely be making one change by roping in Sheldon Jackson ahead of Englishman Sam Billings as their wicketkeeper-batter. Apart from that, Australian limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch might replace an under-fire Ajinkya Rahane.

Here’s the Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Openers: Venkatesh Iyer and Aaron Finch

Venkatesh Iyer looked promising in the last game against DC with an eight-ball 18 at a strike rate of exactly 225 before his innings came to an abrupt end. However, he can take heart from the fact that he rediscovered his rhythm with a match-winning 50 against the Mumbai Indians and would be hoping to leave the bowlers shell-shocked yet again opening the innings.

Aaron Finch on the other hand will be making his debut for KKR. However, Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning skipper is a seasoned campaigner having represented eight franchises since 2010 and amassing 2005 runs from 87 appearances averaging 25.71 and a strike rate of 127.71.

Middle-Order: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, and Sheldon Jackson (w)

All eyes will be on skipper Shreyas Iyer who roared back to form with a splendid knock of 54 runs from 33 deliveries at an impressive strike rate of 163.6. He would once again be expected to fire all cylinders in the upcoming contest. Nitish Rana has not been able to showcase his best so far having managed just 69 runs from five games with the highest individual score of 30. He would be hungry for success this time around.

Sheldon Jackson’s inclusion would be a forced one with Sam Billings unable to find form so far. In five matches, the England limited-overs specialist has only managed 95 runs averaging 23.75.

All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, and Sunil Narine

The hard-hitting Andre Russell has time and again proved that he is the backbone of KKR with his brilliant all-round abilities. He has been the franchise’s savior in the middle order with 130 runs from five matches. At the same time, he has also chipped in with three wickets. Pat Cummins on the other hand makes amends with the bat should he turn out to be expensive with the ball in hand and this was proved against MI as he scored a 15-ball match-winning half-century. The two-time winners would be hoping that he makes it matter with both the bat and ball against the Orange Army.

Apart from bamboozling the best in the business, Sunil Narine also has the ability to clear the boundaries with his power-hitting techniques which have also benefited KKR on so many occasions in the past. Narine, who has been representing this franchise for a decade would be hoping to matter as the tournament progresses.

Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Rasikh Salam, and Varun Chakaravarthy

Uncapped Rasikh Salam is yet to prove his mettle in the IPL and would be looking forward to making the most of his opportunities if featured in the Playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has so far registered four scalps in five matches and would be eager to come up with an impactful bowling performance.

Senior pacer Umesh Yadav has been the most consistent bowler for KKR as far as form is concerned. The Vidharbha cricketer has picked up 10 wickets and is the second on the Purple Cap list. He would be hoping to settle for nothing less than a match-winning spell.